Title: Journal of the House of Burgesses of Virginia Date: April 1, 1703 TNA Catalogue Reference: CO 5/1413, pp. 29-35. Calendar Reference: Vol 21 (1702-1703), p.310-312. Summary/Transcript: Resolved, that this House doth adhere to their former resolve in not agreeing to a Conference. (See Minutes of Council, March 31st.) Committee appointed to draw up a suitable message to the Council.April 2.See preceding abstract under date.Resolved, nem. con., that the Forts already erected on the frontiers of New York are no security to this Colony, and that notwithstanding the same the enemy may and frequently doth come upon our frontiers, and commit murders and other mischiefs. Resolved, nem. con., that the building of more forts upon the frontiers of New York will not any ways avail to the security and defence of this Colony, for that an enemy may annoy or invade the same, and not come within 100 miles of any fort that can be built within the province of New York. That sending the Quota of men to New York will be prejudicial to H.M. interest at home and endanger the safety of this Colony. That it is not probable any men can be sent from this Colony soon enough to be serviceable to the province of New York upon an invasion. That by means of the present publick engagements and such necessary provision as the defence and security of this Colony will from time to time require, we shall not be able to furnish the province of New York with money in lieu of men. That it is absolutely necessary to make a Representation to H.M. upon the subject matter of the foregoing resolves, to the end H.M. may be truly informed of the state of the case between this Government and New York.Resolved, upon consideration of H.E.'s second speech, that the question of giving a servant a gun at his freedom be referr'd till the Bill in the Revisal concerning the Militia etc. be taken into consideration.Resolved, that this House do proceed upon the Revised Laws this Session.Mr. Ransone granted leave of absence.April 3.Grievance from Surry County desiring that no person may exercise any trade but he that serves a legal apprenticeship to it, rejected.Grievance from Surry County for taking off the imposition on liquors rejected. Grievance from Surry County for obliging all mechanicks to follow one distinct trade, rejected.Resolved, that necessary provision be made giving John Goodale leave to keep a Ferry on the Upper parts of Chickahomony River.Petition of Mrs. Mary Rider, that the ferryman at Hog Island be prohibited to land his passengers on her Plantation, rejected.Resolved, upon the petition of John Holt desiring to be Ferry-Keeper at Hog Island, that the Law for regulating ferries being temporary, and the present keeper having been at great charges for an ordinary in compliance with the said Law, it is not convenient to make any provision therein at present.Thomas Francis granted liberty of keeping a ferry from his landing to Hog Island.Petition of Edward Ross for raising the rates of the Ferry at James Town rejected.Proposition of King and Queen County for setling Rolling-houses rejected.Proposition from Nansemond County for making bridges over the swamps on the road to North Carolina, and levying the charge thereof upon the pole, rejected.Proposition from Nansemond County against the transportation of old iron rejected.Resolved that a Bill be prepared to enable the Governor to commissionate so many persons as he shall think fit to administer the oaths and test to the French Refugees at the Manakin Town, in order to their naturalisation.Resolved, upon the petition of John Gill, Stephen Gill, and Paul Harralson, that H.E. hath full power to naturalise them by virtue of an Act of 1680.Petitions of Capt. Thomas Mountford and Robert Beverley referred to the Committee of publick claims.Grievance of James City County referred to the Committee of Propositions.The message from the Governor and Council (referred at the last Assembly) recommending to the House to assert H.M. right to quit-rents on the Eastern shore, and that the bounds between this Colony and Maryland be ascertained, referred to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances.Ordered that the quere left upon the Journal of the last Session, whether Mr. Treasurer hath taken care to receive the debt due from Corbin Griffin's estate upon the imposition Acts, be referred to the Committee appointed to inspect the Treasurer's accounts.Ordered that the observation upon the Journal of the last Session, "It is also observable that Mr. Treasurer has given himself credit for 283l. 5s. for the Trustees of the City of Williamsburgh by order of Assembly, but says he has not paid it all, nor has any receipts or discharges for any part paid," be referred to the same Committee.Bill concerning the Church Clergy and other parochial affairs read the first time and committed. Calendar Index Terms: Beverly, Robert Carolina Chickahominy River France Gill, John Gill, Stephen Goodale, John Griffin Hog Island Holt, John Hurrelson, Paul James City Va James City County Va King and Queen County Va Larkin, George Mannikin Town Maryland Mountford Nansemond County Va New York Ranson, James Rider, Mary Ross, Edward Surrey County Va Virginia Williamsburgh URL for this item: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:csp-us:&rft_dat=xri:csp:rec:V21-E000701